worldbox-observer-mod/IdleSpectator/Story/StoryPlanner.cs

using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using UnityEngine;

namespace IdleSpectator;

/// <summary>
/// Owns short multi-beat story commitment above InterestDirector.
/// Never calls MoveCamera - injects / boosts candidates and reports hold policy.
/// Watching + parked short arcs resume when their tip returns; life-saga rail is separate.
/// </summary>
public static class StoryPlanner
{
    private const int BoardCap = 4;
    private const float ParkedMaxSeconds = 180f;

    private static StoryArc _active;
    private static readonly List<StoryArc> Parked = new List<StoryArc>(BoardCap);
    private static CrisisChapter _crisis;
    private static float _crisisCooldownUntil;
    private static float _softFillQuietUntil;
    private static bool _coldHookFired;
    private static string _coldHookClimaxKey = "";
    private static string _coldHookAnchor = "";
    private static readonly List<InterestCandidate> PendingScratch = new List<InterestCandidate>(64);
    private static readonly List<Actor> ActorScratch = new List<Actor>(16);

    /// <summary>Currently watching storyline (not parked).</summary>
    public static StoryArc Active =>
        _active != null && _active.IsActive && !_active.IsParked ? _active : null;

    /// <summary>Live crisis chapter overlay (war / disaster / outbreak), or null.</summary>
    public static CrisisChapter Crisis => _crisis != null && _crisis.IsLive ? _crisis : null;

    public static bool CrisisActive => Crisis != null;

    /// <summary>
    /// Soft-life crumbs and character-fill are suppressed briefly after a hard story/crisis end.
    /// </summary>
    public static bool SoftFillQuietActive => Time.unscaledTime < _softFillQuietUntil;

    /// <summary>Character-fill ambient is suppressed while a crisis chapter is live or soft-fill quiet.</summary>
    public static bool SuppressAmbientFill => CrisisActive || SoftFillQuietActive;

    /// <summary>Watching + parked arcs for dossier rail / harness (excludes Done).</summary>
    public static void CopyBoard(List<StoryArc> into)
    {
        if (into == null)
        {
            return;
        }

        into.Clear();
        StoryArc watch = Active;
        if (watch != null)
        {
            into.Add(watch);
        }

        for (int i = 0; i < Parked.Count; i++)
        {
            StoryArc p = Parked[i];
            if (p != null && p.IsActive)
            {
                into.Add(p);
            }
        }
    }

    public static int BoardCount
    {
        get
        {
            int n = Active != null ? 1 : 0;
            for (int i = 0; i < Parked.Count; i++)
            {
                if (Parked[i] != null && Parked[i].IsActive)
                {
                    n++;
                }
            }

            return n;
        }
    }

    /// <summary>
    /// Quiet dossier spine: "Duel · Aftermath".
    /// Empty when no live arc, or when the current watch tip is not that story beat.
    /// </summary>
    public static string FormatSpineLabel(InterestCandidate watch = null, StoryArc arc = null)
    {
        watch = watch ?? InterestDirector.CurrentCandidate;
        // Crisis closer is not a short-arc spine beat.
        if (IsCrisisEpilogueCandidate(watch))
        {
            return "";
        }

        // Sticky combat can reframe Battle↔Duel without SwitchTo - keep Kind honest first.
        SyncActiveClimax(watch);
        arc = arc ?? Active;
        if (arc == null || !arc.IsActive || !BelongsToActiveStoryBeat(watch, arc))
        {
            return "";
        }

        string kind = FormatKindLabel(arc.Kind);
        // Combat Kind word from sticky/live scale (not tip Label prose).
        string scaleKind = CombatSpineKindFromScale(watch, arc.Kind);
        if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(scaleKind))
        {
            kind = scaleKind;
        }

        string phase = FormatPhaseLabel(arc.Phase);
        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(kind) || string.IsNullOrEmpty(phase))
        {
            return "";
        }

        return kind + " · " + phase;
    }

    /// <summary>
    /// Spine Kind word from sticky/live ensemble scale (Duel/Skirmish/Battle/Mass).
    /// Empty when not a combat arc.
    /// </summary>
    private static string CombatSpineKindFromScale(InterestCandidate watch, StoryArcKind arcKind)
    {
        if (arcKind == StoryArcKind.CombatDuel)
        {
            return "Duel";
        }

        if (arcKind != StoryArcKind.CombatMass)
        {
            return "";
        }

        EnsembleScale scale = EnsembleScale.Skirmish;
        if (watch?.Sticky != null && watch.Sticky.HasPresentedScale)
        {
            scale = watch.Sticky.PresentedScale;
        }
        else if (watch != null)
        {
            int fighters = Mathf.Max(
                watch.ParticipantCount,
                watch.Sticky != null ? watch.Sticky.TotalCount : 0);
            scale = LiveEnsemble.ScaleForCount(Mathf.Max(1, fighters));
        }

        switch (scale)
        {
            case EnsembleScale.Pair:
                return "Duel";
            case EnsembleScale.Skirmish:
                return "Skirmish";
            case EnsembleScale.Battle:
                return "Battle";
            default:
                return "Mass";
        }
    }

    /// <summary>
    /// When the current combat tip changes scale in place (no director SwitchTo),
    /// retarget the active climax Kind (Mass ↔ Duel) so the spine matches the tip.
    /// </summary>
    public static void SyncActiveClimax(InterestCandidate current = null)
    {
        current = current ?? InterestDirector.CurrentCandidate;
        if (_active == null || !_active.IsActive || _active.Phase != StoryPhase.Climax || current == null)
        {
            return;
        }

        if (!TryClassifyClimax(current, out StoryArcKind kind, out bool hardHold))
        {
            return;
        }

        string anchor = AnchorFor(current, kind);
        bool sameAnchor = string.Equals(_active.AnchorKey, anchor, StringComparison.Ordinal);
        bool sameCombatTheater = IsCombatKind(_active.Kind)
                                 && IsCombatKind(kind)
                                 && SameCombatTheater(_active, current);
        if (!sameAnchor && !sameCombatTheater)
        {
            return;
        }

        if (_active.Kind != kind)
        {
            _active.Kind = kind;
            _active.Id = "arc:" + kind + ":" + (_active.AnchorKey ?? anchor);
        }

        if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(anchor)
            && (sameAnchor || sameCombatTheater))
        {
            _active.AnchorKey = anchor;
        }

        if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(current.Key))
        {
            _active.ClimaxKey = current.Key;
        }

        _active.HardHold = hardHold || _active.HardHold;
        NoteCastFrom(current, _active);
        StampHeadline(_active, current);
        // Re-challenge Cap while climax holds: admit heat escalates with arc age so a
        // prolonged duel/war/plot on a stranger can still join the rail (Active chrome).
        if (IsHardStoryKind(_active.Kind))
        {
            LifeSagaRoster.StampChapterFromArc(_active, current, Time.unscaledTime);
        }
    }

    private static bool IsCombatKind(StoryArcKind kind) =>
        kind == StoryArcKind.CombatDuel || kind == StoryArcKind.CombatMass;

    private static bool SameCombatTheater(StoryArc arc, InterestCandidate c)
    {
        if (arc == null || c == null)
        {
            return false;
        }

        if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(arc.ClimaxKey)
            && string.Equals(arc.ClimaxKey, c.Key, StringComparison.Ordinal))
        {
            return true;
        }

        if (c.PairOwnerId != 0 && c.PairPartnerId != 0)
        {
            string pair = EventCatalog.Combat.PairKey(c.PairOwnerId, c.PairPartnerId);
            if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(arc.AnchorKey)
                && string.Equals(arc.AnchorKey, pair, StringComparison.Ordinal))
            {
                return true;
            }
        }

        return arc.ContainsCast(c.SubjectId) && (c.RelatedId == 0 || arc.ContainsCast(c.RelatedId));
    }

    /// <summary>
    /// True when <paramref name="c"/> is the active arc's climax tip or story aftermath/epilogue beat.
    /// Cast membership alone is not enough (avoids stale Love/Duel spines on sleep/hatch tips).
    /// </summary>
    public static bool BelongsToActiveStoryBeat(InterestCandidate c, StoryArc arc = null)
    {
        arc = arc ?? Active;
        if (c == null || arc == null || !arc.IsActive)
        {
            return false;
        }

        if (IsStoryAssetCandidate(c))
        {
            // Aftermath/epilogue tips only while the arc is in those phases,
            // and only for THIS arc (CorrelationKey) - never a stale peer story tip.
            if (arc.Phase != StoryPhase.Aftermath && arc.Phase != StoryPhase.Epilogue)
            {
                return false;
            }

            if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(arc.AnchorKey))
            {
                return false;
            }

            string expect = "story:" + arc.AnchorKey;
            return string.Equals(c.CorrelationKey, expect, StringComparison.Ordinal);
        }

        // Cold climax tip must not show "Mass · Aftermath" while fleeing after inject.
        if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(arc.ClimaxKey)
            && string.Equals(c.Key, arc.ClimaxKey, StringComparison.Ordinal))
        {
            return arc.Phase == StoryPhase.Climax;
        }

        // Same sticky theater refreshed under the same anchor while still in climax.
        // Kind may still be syncing Mass↔Duel - allow either combat kind on the same theater.
        if (arc.Phase == StoryPhase.Climax
            && TryClassifyClimax(c, out StoryArcKind kind, out _)
            && IsCombatKind(arc.Kind)
            && IsCombatKind(kind)
            && (kind == arc.Kind
                || SameCombatTheater(arc, c)
                || string.Equals(AnchorFor(c, kind), arc.AnchorKey, StringComparison.Ordinal)))
        {
            return true;
        }

        if (arc.Phase == StoryPhase.Climax
            && TryClassifyClimax(c, out kind, out _)
            && kind == arc.Kind
            && string.Equals(AnchorFor(c, kind), arc.AnchorKey, StringComparison.Ordinal))
        {
            return true;
        }

        return false;
    }

    public static string FormatKindLabel(StoryArcKind kind)
    {
        switch (kind)
        {
            case StoryArcKind.CombatDuel:
                return "Duel";
            case StoryArcKind.CombatMass:
                return "Mass";
            case StoryArcKind.WarFront:
                return "War front";
            case StoryArcKind.Plot:
                return "Plot";
            case StoryArcKind.Love:
                return "Love";
            case StoryArcKind.Grief:
                return "Grief";
            default:
                return "";
        }
    }

    public static string FormatPhaseLabel(StoryPhase phase)
    {
        switch (phase)
        {
            case StoryPhase.Climax:
                return "Climax";
            case StoryPhase.Aftermath:
                return "Aftermath";
            case StoryPhase.Epilogue:
                return "Epilogue";
            default:
                return "";
        }
    }

    public static void Clear()
    {
        _active = null;
        Parked.Clear();
        _crisis = null;
        _crisisCooldownUntil = 0f;
        _softFillQuietUntil = 0f;
        _coldHookFired = false;
        _coldHookClimaxKey = "";
        _coldHookAnchor = "";
        CausalHeat.Clear();
        // LifeSagaRoster survives short-arc Clear (browse / brief idle-off).
    }

    /// <summary>
    /// Drop live crisis + pending crisis closers without wiping the storyline board.
    /// Used at harness batch end so free AFK does not inherit a fake crisis ending.
    /// </summary>
    public static void PurgeCloserLeftovers()
    {
        float now = Time.unscaledTime;
        if (_crisis != null)
        {
            _crisis.Advance(CrisisPhase.Done, now);
            _crisis = null;
        }

        InterestRegistry.ForceExpireContaining("epilogue:crisis", now);
        InterestRegistry.ForceExpireContaining(StoryReason.EpilogueCrisis, now);

        InterestCandidate cur = InterestDirector.CurrentCandidate;
        if (cur != null && IsCrisisEpilogueCandidate(cur))
        {
            InterestDirector.HarnessEndCurrent("purge_closer");
        }
    }

    /// <summary>Arm soft-fill quiet after a hard story/crisis beat ends.</summary>
    public static void NoteHardStoryQuiet(float now = -1f)
    {
        if (now < 0f)
        {
            now = Time.unscaledTime;
        }

        StoryWeights s = InterestScoringConfig.Story;
        float quiet = s.softFillQuietSeconds > 0f ? s.softFillQuietSeconds : 18f;
        _softFillQuietUntil = Mathf.Max(_softFillQuietUntil, now + quiet);
    }

    /// <summary>
    /// Bounded quiet refresh after a soft crumb ends so AFK does not immediately re-surf.
    /// Caps total quiet at 1.5x the base window from now.
    /// </summary>
    public static void NoteSoftCrumbQuietRefresh(float now = -1f)
    {
        if (now < 0f)
        {
            now = Time.unscaledTime;
        }

        StoryWeights s = InterestScoringConfig.Story;
        float quiet = s.softFillQuietSeconds > 0f ? s.softFillQuietSeconds : 18f;
        float refresh = quiet * 0.35f;
        float capUntil = now + quiet * 1.5f;
        float next = Mathf.Max(_softFillQuietUntil, now + refresh);
        _softFillQuietUntil = Mathf.Min(next, capUntil);
    }

    public static void Tick(float now)
    {
        TickCrisis(now);
        ExpireParked(now);

        if (_active == null || !_active.IsActive)
        {
            return;
        }

        SyncActiveClimax(InterestDirector.CurrentCandidate);

        // Stale arcs without a living cast eventually end.
        if (_active.Phase == StoryPhase.Aftermath || _active.Phase == StoryPhase.Epilogue)
        {
            if (now - _active.PhaseStartedAt > 90f)
            {
                EndArc(_active, now);
            }
        }
    }

    /// <summary>Promote a parked short arc to watching (harness / natural tip return).</summary>
    public static bool TryResume(string arcId)
    {
        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(arcId))
        {
            return false;
        }

        for (int i = 0; i < Parked.Count; i++)
        {
            StoryArc p = Parked[i];
            if (p == null || !string.Equals(p.Id, arcId, StringComparison.Ordinal))
            {
                continue;
            }

            if (!p.IsActive)
            {
                Parked.RemoveAt(i);
                return false;
            }

            float now = Time.unscaledTime;
            if (_active != null && _active.IsActive && !string.Equals(_active.Id, p.Id, StringComparison.Ordinal))
            {
                ParkWatching(now);
            }

            Parked.RemoveAt(i);
            p.ParkedAt = 0f;
            _active = p;
            return true;
        }

        return Active != null && string.Equals(Active.Id, arcId, StringComparison.Ordinal);
    }

    private static StoryArc FindBoardArc(string arcId)
    {
        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(arcId))
        {
            return null;
        }

        if (_active != null
            && _active.IsActive
            && string.Equals(_active.Id, arcId, StringComparison.Ordinal))
        {
            return _active;
        }

        for (int i = 0; i < Parked.Count; i++)
        {
            StoryArc p = Parked[i];
            if (p != null && string.Equals(p.Id, arcId, StringComparison.Ordinal))
            {
                return p;
            }
        }

        return null;
    }

    /// <summary>
    /// Resolve a synthetic short-story beat to the one board arc that authored it.
    /// Correlation is the ownership boundary: cast overlap, labels, and partial keys
    /// must never let a parked arc's closer mutate the currently watched arc.
    /// </summary>
    private static StoryArc ResolveStoryArc(InterestCandidate candidate)
    {
        if (!IsStoryAssetCandidate(candidate) || IsCrisisEpilogueCandidate(candidate))
        {
            return null;
        }

        string correlation = (candidate.CorrelationKey ?? "").Trim();
        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(correlation))
        {
            return null;
        }

        if (_active != null && StoryArcMatchesCorrelation(_active, correlation))
        {
            return _active;
        }

        for (int i = 0; i < Parked.Count; i++)
        {
            StoryArc parked = Parked[i];
            if (parked != null && StoryArcMatchesCorrelation(parked, correlation))
            {
                return parked;
            }
        }

        return null;
    }

    private static bool StoryArcMatchesCorrelation(StoryArc arc, string correlation)
    {
        if (arc == null || !arc.IsActive || string.IsNullOrEmpty(arc.AnchorKey))
        {
            return false;
        }

        return string.Equals("story:" + arc.AnchorKey, correlation, StringComparison.Ordinal);
    }

    /// <summary>
    /// Selection defense-in-depth for expired/orphaned synthetic story beats.
    /// Crisis closers use their crisis chapter instead of the short-arc board.
    /// </summary>
    public static bool HasLiveStoryOwner(InterestCandidate candidate)
    {
        if (!IsStoryAssetCandidate(candidate))
        {
            return true;
        }

        if (IsCrisisEpilogueCandidate(candidate))
        {
            return MatchesCrisis(candidate);
        }

        return ResolveStoryArc(candidate) != null;
    }

    private static bool ResumeResolvedArc(StoryArc arc, float now)
    {
        if (arc == null || !arc.IsActive)
        {
            return false;
        }

        if (ReferenceEquals(_active, arc))
        {
            arc.ParkedAt = 0f;
            return true;
        }

        int parkedAt = Parked.IndexOf(arc);
        if (parkedAt < 0)
        {
            return false;
        }

        if (_active != null && _active.IsActive)
        {
            ParkWatching(now);
        }

        // ParkWatching can insert the previous active arc at the front, so resolve
        // the target index again before removing it.
        parkedAt = Parked.IndexOf(arc);
        if (parkedAt < 0 || !arc.IsActive)
        {
            return false;
        }

        Parked.RemoveAt(parkedAt);
        arc.ParkedAt = 0f;
        _active = arc;
        return true;
    }

    private static void ParkWatching(float now)
    {
        if (_active == null || !_active.IsActive)
        {
            _active = null;
            return;
        }

        // Soft scraps end on cutaway (no board parking); hard storylines park.
        if (!_active.HardHold)
        {
            EndArc(_active, now);
            _active = null;
            return;
        }

        StoryArc parked = _active;
        _active = null;
        parked.ParkedAt = now;
        RemoveParkedById(parked.Id);
        Parked.Insert(0, parked);
        TrimParkedBoard();
    }

    private static void EndArc(StoryArc arc, float now)
    {
        if (arc == null)
        {
            return;
        }

        StoryArcKind kind = arc.Kind;
        arc.Advance(StoryPhase.Done, now);
        arc.ParkedAt = 0f;
        if (IsHardStoryKind(kind))
        {
            NoteHardStoryQuiet(now);
        }
    }

    private static bool IsHardStoryKind(StoryArcKind kind) =>
        kind == StoryArcKind.CombatDuel
        || kind == StoryArcKind.CombatMass
        || kind == StoryArcKind.WarFront
        || kind == StoryArcKind.Plot
        || kind == StoryArcKind.Love
        || kind == StoryArcKind.Grief;

    private static void ExpireParked(float now)
    {
        for (int i = Parked.Count - 1; i >= 0; i--)
        {
            StoryArc p = Parked[i];
            if (p == null || !p.IsActive)
            {
                Parked.RemoveAt(i);
                continue;
            }

            if (p.ParkedAt > 0f && now - p.ParkedAt > ParkedMaxSeconds)
            {
                EndArc(p, now);
                Parked.RemoveAt(i);
            }
        }
    }

    private static void RemoveParkedById(string id)
    {
        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(id))
        {
            return;
        }

        for (int i = Parked.Count - 1; i >= 0; i--)
        {
            if (Parked[i] != null && string.Equals(Parked[i].Id, id, StringComparison.Ordinal))
            {
                Parked.RemoveAt(i);
            }
        }
    }

    private static void TrimParkedBoard()
    {
        // Watching + parked <= BoardCap. Prefer dropping anonymous scraps over Prefer/MC/cast arcs.
        int watching = _active != null && _active.IsActive ? 1 : 0;
        while (Parked.Count + watching > BoardCap && Parked.Count > 0)
        {
            int dropAt = 0;
            int worst = int.MaxValue;
            for (int i = 0; i < Parked.Count; i++)
            {
                int keep = ParkedArcKeepScore(Parked[i]);
                if (keep <= worst)
                {
                    worst = keep;
                    dropAt = i;
                }
            }

            StoryArc drop = Parked[dropAt];
            Parked.RemoveAt(dropAt);
            if (drop != null)
            {
                EndArc(drop, Time.unscaledTime);
            }
        }
    }

    /// <summary>Prefer=3, MC=2, MC cast=1, else 0 for parked-board trim.</summary>
    private static int ParkedArcKeepScore(StoryArc arc)
    {
        if (arc?.CastIds == null || arc.CastIds.Count == 0)
        {
            return 0;
        }

        int best = 0;
        for (int i = 0; i < arc.CastIds.Count; i++)
        {
            long id = arc.CastIds[i];
            if (id == 0)
            {
                continue;
            }

            if (LifeSagaRoster.IsPrefer(id))
            {
                best = Mathf.Max(best, 3);
            }
            else if (LifeSagaRoster.IsMc(id))
            {
                best = Mathf.Max(best, 2);
            }
            else if (LifeSagaRoster.IsMcCast(id))
            {
                best = Mathf.Max(best, 1);
            }
        }

        return best;
    }

    public static void OnSwitchTo(InterestCandidate next, float now)
    {
        if (next == null)
        {
            return;
        }

        CausalHeat.NoteFeatured(next.SubjectId);
        if (next.RelatedId != 0)
        {
            CausalHeat.NoteFeatured(next.RelatedId, 0.6f);
        }

        LifeSagaRoster.NoteFeatured(next);

        if (IsStoryAssetCandidate(next))
        {
            if (IsCrisisEpilogueCandidate(next) && _crisis != null && _crisis.IsLive)
            {
                _crisis.Advance(CrisisPhase.Epilogue, now);
                // Crisis closer is not a short-arc beat - end watching combat arc so
                // dossier spine / cast state cannot linger under the closer.
                if (_active != null && _active.IsActive)
                {
                    EndArc(_active, now);
                    _active = null;
                }

                return;
            }

            StoryArc owner = ResolveStoryArc(next);
            if (owner == null || !ResumeResolvedArc(owner, now))
            {
                // An expired/orphaned closer may still reach this defense if it was
                // selected in the same frame its board arc ended. Never mutate a peer arc.
                return;
            }

            if (_active != null && _active.IsActive && ReferenceEquals(_active, owner))
            {
                if (string.Equals(next.AssetId, StoryReason.EpilogueRelated, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase)
                    || next.Key.StartsWith("epilogue:", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
                {
                    _active.Advance(StoryPhase.Epilogue, now);
                }
                else
                {
                    _active.Advance(StoryPhase.Aftermath, now);
                }

                NoteCastFrom(next, _active);
                LifeSagaRoster.StampChapterFromArc(_active, next, now);
            }

            return;
        }

        NoteCrisisFromCandidate(next, now);

        if (TryClassifyClimax(next, out StoryArcKind kind, out bool hardHold))
        {
            BeginOrRefreshArc(next, kind, hardHold, now);
            if (_active != null && _active.IsActive)
            {
                LifeSagaRoster.StampChapterFromArc(_active, next, now);
            }

            return;
        }

        // Camera left the story for an unrelated tip - park hard storylines; end soft scraps.
        if (_active != null && _active.IsActive && !BelongsToActiveStoryBeat(next, _active))
        {
            ParkWatching(now);
        }
    }

    public static void OnEndCurrent(InterestCandidate ended, float now)
    {
        if (ended == null)
        {
            return;
        }

        // Crisis chapters often have no soft StoryArc - still close when the closer tip ends.
        if (IsCrisisEpilogueCandidate(ended) && _crisis != null && _crisis.IsLive)
        {
            CloseCrisis(now);
        }

        if (_active == null || !_active.IsActive)
        {
            return;
        }

        // follow_lost / max_cap often end a soft duel before quiet-grace cold.
        // Match by theater (Mass↔Duel key flip), not exact ClimaxKey only.
        if (_active.Phase == StoryPhase.Climax && BelongsToClimaxTheater(ended, _active))
        {
            OnClimaxCold(ended);
        }

        if (IsStoryAssetCandidate(ended))
        {
            StoryArc owner = ResolveStoryArc(ended);
            if (!ReferenceEquals(owner, _active))
            {
                return;
            }

            if (_active.Phase == StoryPhase.Aftermath)
            {
                TryInjectEpilogue(_active, now);
            }
            else if (_active.Phase == StoryPhase.Epilogue)
            {
                EndArc(_active, now);
                _active = null;
            }
        }
    }

    /// <summary>
    /// Called when a climax scene first goes inactive (entering quiet grace).
    /// </summary>
    public static void OnClimaxCold(InterestCandidate climax)
    {
        if (climax == null)
        {
            return;
        }

        float now = Time.unscaledTime;
        // Sticky combat can reframe keys in place before cold - keep arc/climax aligned.
        if (_active != null && _active.IsActive && _active.Phase == StoryPhase.Climax)
        {
            SyncActiveClimax(climax);
        }

        string climaxKey = climax.Key ?? "";
        string anchor = _active != null && _active.IsActive
            ? (_active.AnchorKey ?? "")
            : "";
        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(anchor) && TryClassifyClimax(climax, out StoryArcKind classifyKind, out _))
        {
            anchor = AnchorFor(climax, classifyKind);
        }

        // Once per climax theater (anchor), not per sticky key refresh.
        if (_coldHookFired
            && (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(_coldHookAnchor)
                && string.Equals(_coldHookAnchor, anchor, StringComparison.Ordinal)
                || string.Equals(_coldHookClimaxKey, climaxKey, StringComparison.Ordinal)))
        {
            return;
        }

        if (!TryClassifyClimax(climax, out StoryArcKind kind, out bool hardHold)
            && (_active == null || !_active.IsActive))
        {
            return;
        }

        if (_active == null || !_active.IsActive || !BelongsToClimaxTheater(climax, _active))
        {
            if (!TryClassifyClimax(climax, out kind, out hardHold))
            {
                return;
            }

            BeginOrRefreshArc(climax, kind, hardHold, now);
            anchor = _active != null ? (_active.AnchorKey ?? anchor) : anchor;
        }
        else if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(climaxKey))
        {
            _active.ClimaxKey = climaxKey;
            if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(_active.AnchorKey))
            {
                anchor = _active.AnchorKey;
            }
        }

        _coldHookFired = true;
        _coldHookClimaxKey = !string.IsNullOrEmpty(climaxKey)
            ? climaxKey
            : (_active != null ? (_active.ClimaxKey ?? "") : "");
        _coldHookAnchor = anchor ?? "";

        if (TryClaimNaturalGrief(climax, _active))
        {
            _active.Advance(StoryPhase.Aftermath, now);
            return;
        }

        // Grief climax is already the aftermath beat - do not synthesize a twin.
        if (_active.Kind == StoryArcKind.Grief)
        {
            EndArc(_active, now);
            _active = null;
            return;
        }

        if (HasStrongerPendingPeer(climax))
        {
            // Natural grief/love aftermath already queued - do not synthesize a twin.
            // End climax ownership so spine/hold cannot stick across the peer tip.
            if (_active != null && _active.IsActive && _active.Phase == StoryPhase.Climax)
            {
                EndArc(_active, now);
                _active = null;
            }

            return;
        }

        if (TryInjectAftermath(climax, _active, now))
        {
            _active.Advance(StoryPhase.Aftermath, now);
            // Short-arc theater linger already closes this crisis - do not also fire
            // epilogue_crisis into the next free-AFK soak (war_front 12v8 auto-opens crisis).
            if (_crisis != null
                && _crisis.IsLive
                && ((_crisis.Kind == CrisisKind.War && _active.Kind == StoryArcKind.WarFront)
                    || MatchesCrisis(climax)))
            {
                CloseCrisis(now);
            }

            NoteHardStoryQuiet(now);
            return;
        }

        if (_active != null && _active.IsActive && _active.Phase == StoryPhase.Climax)
        {
            EndArc(_active, now);
            _active = null;
        }
    }

    /// <summary>
    /// Same climax theater even when sticky combat refreshes the candidate key (Battle↔Duel).
    /// </summary>
    private static bool BelongsToClimaxTheater(InterestCandidate c, StoryArc arc)
    {
        if (c == null || arc == null || !arc.IsActive)
        {
            return false;
        }

        if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(arc.ClimaxKey)
            && string.Equals(c.Key, arc.ClimaxKey, StringComparison.Ordinal))
        {
            return true;
        }

        if (BelongsToActiveStoryBeat(c, arc))
        {
            return true;
        }

        return IsCombatKind(arc.Kind) && SameCombatTheater(arc, c);
    }

    public static bool IsContinuationOf(InterestCandidate current, InterestCandidate next)
    {
        if (current == null || next == null || !IsStoryAssetCandidate(next))
        {
            return false;
        }

        if (_active == null || !_active.IsActive || !ReferenceEquals(ResolveStoryArc(next), _active))
        {
            return false;
        }

        if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(_active.ClimaxKey)
            && string.Equals(current.Key, _active.ClimaxKey, StringComparison.Ordinal))
        {
            return true;
        }

        return true;
    }

    public static bool OwnsCandidate(InterestCandidate c)
    {
        if (c == null || _active == null || !_active.IsActive)
        {
            return false;
        }

        if (IsStoryAssetCandidate(c))
        {
            return ReferenceEquals(ResolveStoryArc(c), _active);
        }

        if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(_active.ClimaxKey)
            && string.Equals(c.Key, _active.ClimaxKey, StringComparison.Ordinal))
        {
            return true;
        }

        return false;
    }

    public static float OwnershipBoost(InterestCandidate c)
    {
        float crisisBoost = CrisisOwnershipBoost(c);
        StoryArc storyOwner = IsStoryAssetCandidate(c) ? ResolveStoryArc(c) : null;
        if (!OwnsCandidate(c) || _active == null || !_active.IsActive)
        {
            // A parked arc's correlated closer keeps a modest boost so it can validly
            // resume. Orphaned story assets receive no short-arc ownership at all.
            if (storyOwner != null)
            {
                return Mathf.Max(crisisBoost, InterestScoringConfig.Story.arcOwnershipBoost);
            }

            return crisisBoost;
        }

        if (!_active.HardHold)
        {
            if (IsStoryAssetCandidate(c))
            {
                return Mathf.Max(crisisBoost, InterestScoringConfig.Story.arcOwnershipBoost);
            }

            return crisisBoost;
        }

        if (_active.Phase == StoryPhase.Aftermath || _active.Phase == StoryPhase.Epilogue)
        {
            return Mathf.Max(crisisBoost, InterestScoringConfig.Story.arcOwnershipBoost);
        }

        return crisisBoost;
    }

    /// <summary>Score boost for tips that belong to the live crisis chapter.</summary>
    public static float CrisisOwnershipBoost(InterestCandidate c)
    {
        if (!MatchesCrisis(c))
        {
            return 0f;
        }

        StoryWeights s = InterestScoringConfig.Story;
        return s.crisisOwnershipBoost > 0f ? s.crisisOwnershipBoost : 22f;
    }

    /// <summary>
    /// True when <paramref name="c"/> is part of the live crisis (signal tip or crisis closer).
    /// </summary>
    public static bool MatchesCrisis(InterestCandidate c)
    {
        if (c == null || _crisis == null || !_crisis.IsLive)
        {
            return false;
        }

        if (IsCrisisEpilogueCandidate(c))
        {
            return true;
        }

        if (_crisis.Phase == CrisisPhase.Epilogue)
        {
            return false;
        }

        // Live WarFront tip always belongs to an open war crisis (even below enter threshold).
        if (_crisis.Kind == CrisisKind.War
            && c.Completion == InterestCompletionKind.WarFront)
        {
            return true;
        }

        // Local Mass/Battle on the war's kingdom pair keeps the war chapter warm / owned
        // so WarFront ↔ Mass thrash cannot starve LastSignalAt.
        if (_crisis.Kind == CrisisKind.War
            && c.Completion == InterestCompletionKind.CombatActive
            && StickyScoreboard.SharesKingdomTheater(c, _crisis.TheaterKeyA, _crisis.TheaterKeyB))
        {
            return true;
        }

        // Disaster family: any live disaster/quake tip keeps the chapter warm.
        if (_crisis.Kind == CrisisKind.Disaster && IsDisasterCrisisSignal(c))
        {
            return true;
        }

        // Outbreak family: status outbreak tips keep the chapter warm.
        if (_crisis.Kind == CrisisKind.Outbreak
            && c.Completion == InterestCompletionKind.StatusOutbreak)
        {
            return true;
        }

        if (!TryClassifyCrisis(c, out CrisisKind kind, out string anchor, out _))
        {
            return false;
        }

        if (kind != _crisis.Kind)
        {
            return false;
        }

        if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(_crisis.AnchorKey)
            && !string.IsNullOrEmpty(anchor)
            && !string.Equals(_crisis.AnchorKey, anchor, StringComparison.Ordinal))
        {
            // Same kind of crisis may refresh under a new theater key (war sides).
            // Still match by kind while Active so count refreshes keep ownership.
            return kind == CrisisKind.War || kind == CrisisKind.Disaster || kind == CrisisKind.Outbreak;
        }

        return true;
    }

    /// <summary>
    /// True when the orange reason is a StoryPlanner FixedDwell beat (aftermath / epilogue).
    /// Used to suppress stale combat task detail under story closers.
    /// </summary>
    public static bool IsStoryOwnedTip(InterestCandidate c) =>
        IsStoryAssetCandidate(c) || IsCrisisEpilogueCandidate(c);

    /// <summary>
    /// Raised cut-in margin while Aftermath/Epilogue holds against unrelated peers.
    /// Soft combat arcs also block same-cast life noise until the closer tip is watched
    /// (soak/harness: eat inject must not starve "stands over" after a fallen duel).
    /// </summary>
    public static float ArcHoldMargin(InterestCandidate current, InterestCandidate next)
    {
        if (_active == null || !_active.IsActive)
        {
            return 0f;
        }

        // Hold only while watching aftermath/epilogue (active short chapter). No rail commit.
        if (_active.Phase != StoryPhase.Aftermath && _active.Phase != StoryPhase.Epilogue)
        {
            return 0f;
        }

        if (current == null || next == null)
        {
            return 0f;
        }

        if (OwnsCandidate(next) || IsContinuationOf(current, next))
        {
            return 0f;
        }

        // Natural grief/love peers may still claim the closer.
        if (IsNaturalAftermathPeer(next, current))
        {
            return 0f;
        }

        StoryWeights s = InterestScoringConfig.Story;
        float margin = s.arcHoldMargin > 0f ? s.arcHoldMargin : 50f;

        // Soft duel: pending aftermath must not lose to same-cast eat/hatch noise.
        if (!_active.HardHold)
        {
            if (OwnsCandidate(current) || BelongsToClimaxTheater(current, _active))
            {
                return margin;
            }

            return 0f;
        }

        // Hard arcs: hold while the camera is still on the story beat.
        if (!BelongsToActiveStoryBeat(current, _active))
        {
            return 0f;
        }

        return margin;
    }

    /// <summary>
    /// Highest pending EventStrength for same-subject non-story life tips (cast noise ceiling).
    /// </summary>
    private static float PendingCastLifeCeiling(long subjectId)
    {
        if (subjectId == 0)
        {
            return 0f;
        }

        float best = 0f;
        PendingScratch.Clear();
        InterestRegistry.CopyPending(PendingScratch);
        for (int i = 0; i < PendingScratch.Count; i++)
        {
            InterestCandidate p = PendingScratch[i];
            if (p == null || p.SubjectId != subjectId || IsStoryAssetCandidate(p))
            {
                continue;
            }

            if (IsNaturalAftermathPeer(p, null))
            {
                continue;
            }

            if (p.EventStrength > best)
            {
                best = p.EventStrength;
            }
        }

        return best;
    }

    /// <summary>
    /// Raised cut-in margin while watching a crisis tip against unrelated peers.
    /// Epic peers at/above <c>crisisDisasterStrengthMin</c> still cut freely.
    /// </summary>
    public static float CrisisHoldMargin(InterestCandidate current, InterestCandidate next)
    {
        if (_crisis == null || !_crisis.IsLive || current == null || next == null)
        {
            return 0f;
        }

        if (!MatchesCrisis(current) || MatchesCrisis(next))
        {
            return 0f;
        }

        StoryWeights s = InterestScoringConfig.Story;
        float epicFloor = s.crisisDisasterStrengthMin > 0f ? s.crisisDisasterStrengthMin : 95f;
        if (next.EventStrength >= epicFloor)
        {
            return 0f;
        }

        return s.crisisHoldMargin > 0f ? s.crisisHoldMargin : 40f;
    }

    public static bool PreferOver(InterestCandidate a, InterestCandidate b)
    {
        if (a == null || b == null)
        {
            return false;
        }

        if (CrisisActive)
        {
            bool aCrisis = MatchesCrisis(a);
            bool bCrisis = MatchesCrisis(b);
            if (aCrisis && !bCrisis)
            {
                return true;
            }
        }

        if (_active == null || !_active.IsActive)
        {
            return false;
        }

        // Injected aftermath/epilogue must win quiet-grace picks over cast life noise
        // (hatch/food/sleep), even when those tips have higher raw EventStrength.
        StoryArc aStoryOwner = IsStoryAssetCandidate(a) ? ResolveStoryArc(a) : null;
        StoryArc bStoryOwner = IsStoryAssetCandidate(b) ? ResolveStoryArc(b) : null;

        if (IsStoryAssetCandidate(a)
            && ReferenceEquals(aStoryOwner, _active)
            && !IsStoryAssetCandidate(b)
            && (_active.Phase == StoryPhase.Aftermath
                || _active.Phase == StoryPhase.Epilogue
                || _active.Phase == StoryPhase.Climax)
            && !IsNaturalAftermathPeer(b, InterestDirector.CurrentCandidate))
        {
            return true;
        }

        bool aOwn = ReferenceEquals(aStoryOwner, _active) || OwnsCandidate(a);
        bool bOwn = ReferenceEquals(bStoryOwner, _active) || OwnsCandidate(b);
        return aOwn && !bOwn;
    }

    private static void BeginOrRefreshArc(
        InterestCandidate climax,
        StoryArcKind kind,
        bool hardHold,
        float now)
    {
        string anchor = AnchorFor(climax, kind);
        string id = "arc:" + kind + ":" + anchor;

        // Resume parked storyline with same anchor/kind instead of spawning a twin.
        for (int i = 0; i < Parked.Count; i++)
        {
            StoryArc p = Parked[i];
            if (p == null || !p.IsActive)
            {
                continue;
            }

            if (string.Equals(p.AnchorKey, anchor, StringComparison.Ordinal) && p.Kind == kind)
            {
                if (_active != null
                    && _active.IsActive
                    && !string.Equals(_active.Id, p.Id, StringComparison.Ordinal))
                {
                    ParkWatching(now);
                }

                Parked.RemoveAt(i);
                p.ParkedAt = 0f;
                p.ClimaxKey = climax.Key ?? "";
                p.HardHold = hardHold || p.HardHold;
                if (p.Phase == StoryPhase.None || p.Phase == StoryPhase.Done)
                {
                    p.Advance(StoryPhase.Climax, now);
                }

                NoteCastFrom(climax, p);
                StampHeadline(p, climax);
                _active = p;
                _coldHookFired = false;
                _coldHookClimaxKey = "";
                _coldHookAnchor = "";
                return;
            }
        }

        if (_active != null
            && _active.IsActive
            && string.Equals(_active.AnchorKey, anchor, StringComparison.Ordinal)
            && _active.Kind == kind)
        {
            _active.ClimaxKey = climax.Key ?? "";
            _active.HardHold = hardHold || _active.HardHold;
            NoteCastFrom(climax, _active);
            StampHeadline(_active, climax);
            if (_active.Phase == StoryPhase.None || _active.Phase == StoryPhase.Done)
            {
                _active.Advance(StoryPhase.Climax, now);
            }

            return;
        }

        // New climax while another hard story is watching - park the old one.
        if (_active != null && _active.IsActive)
        {
            ParkWatching(now);
        }

        _active = new StoryArc
        {
            Id = id,
            Kind = kind,
            AnchorKey = anchor,
            ClimaxKey = climax.Key ?? "",
            StartedAt = now,
            HardHold = hardHold
        };
        _active.Advance(StoryPhase.Climax, now);
        NoteCastFrom(climax, _active);
        StampHeadline(_active, climax);
        _coldHookFired = false;
        _coldHookClimaxKey = "";
        _coldHookAnchor = "";
        CausalHeat.NoteCast(_active.CastIds);
        TrimParkedBoard();
    }

    private static void StampHeadline(StoryArc arc, InterestCandidate climax)
    {
        if (arc == null)
        {
            return;
        }

        string built = BuildStorylineHeadline(arc, climax);
        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(built))
        {
            return;
        }

        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(arc.Headline) || IsRicherHeadline(built, arc.Headline))
        {
            arc.Headline = built;
        }
    }

    /// <summary>
    /// Cast/theater identity from sticky sides, named pair, or living cast - not Kind words.
    /// </summary>
    private static string BuildStorylineHeadline(StoryArc arc, InterestCandidate c)
    {
        if (c?.Sticky != null)
        {
            string sideA = FirstNonEmpty(c.Sticky.SideADisplay, c.Sticky.SideAKingdom);
            string sideB = FirstNonEmpty(c.Sticky.SideBDisplay, c.Sticky.SideBKingdom);
            sideA = CleanSideName(sideA);
            sideB = CleanSideName(sideB);
            if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(sideA)
                && !string.IsNullOrEmpty(sideB)
                && !string.Equals(sideA, sideB, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
            {
                int countA = c.CombatSideACount > 0 ? c.CombatSideACount : c.Sticky.SideACount;
                int countB = c.CombatSideBCount > 0 ? c.CombatSideBCount : c.Sticky.SideBCount;
                if (countA > 0 && countB > 0)
                {
                    return sideA + " (" + countA + ") vs " + sideB + " (" + countB + ")";
                }

                return sideA + " vs " + sideB;
            }

            if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(sideA)
                && (arc == null
                    || arc.Kind == StoryArcKind.CombatMass
                    || c.Completion == InterestCompletionKind.FamilyPack
                    || c.Completion == InterestCompletionKind.StatusOutbreak
                    || c.Completion == InterestCompletionKind.PlotActive))
            {
                return sideA;
            }
        }

        string nameA = "";
        string nameB = "";
        if (c != null)
        {
            Actor owner = c.FollowUnit;
            if (owner == null || !owner.isAlive())
            {
                owner = EventFeedUtil.FindAliveById(
                    c.PairOwnerId != 0 ? c.PairOwnerId : c.SubjectId);
            }

            Actor partner = c.RelatedUnit;
            if (partner == null || !partner.isAlive())
            {
                long partnerId = c.PairPartnerId != 0 ? c.PairPartnerId : c.RelatedId;
                partner = EventFeedUtil.FindAliveById(partnerId);
                if (partner == null && partnerId != 0)
                {
                    partner = EventFeedUtil.FindUnitById(partnerId);
                }
            }

            nameA = EventFeedUtil.SafeName(owner);
            nameB = EventFeedUtil.SafeName(partner);
            if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(nameA)
                && !string.IsNullOrEmpty(nameB)
                && !string.Equals(nameA, nameB, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
            {
                if (arc != null
                    && (arc.Kind == StoryArcKind.Love || arc.Kind == StoryArcKind.Grief))
                {
                    return nameA + " & " + nameB;
                }

                return nameA + " vs " + nameB;
            }

            if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(nameA))
            {
                return nameA;
            }
        }

        return FormatCastHeadline(arc);
    }

    private static string FormatCastHeadline(StoryArc arc)
    {
        if (arc == null || arc.CastIds.Count == 0)
        {
            return "";
        }

        string first = "";
        string second = "";
        for (int i = 0; i < arc.CastIds.Count && string.IsNullOrEmpty(second); i++)
        {
            Actor a = EventFeedUtil.FindUnitById(arc.CastIds[i]);
            string n = EventFeedUtil.SafeName(a);
            if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(n))
            {
                continue;
            }

            if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(first))
            {
                first = n;
            }
            else if (!string.Equals(first, n, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
            {
                second = n;
            }
        }

        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(first))
        {
            return "";
        }

        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(second))
        {
            return first;
        }

        if (arc.Kind == StoryArcKind.Love || arc.Kind == StoryArcKind.Grief)
        {
            return first + " & " + second;
        }

        return first + " vs " + second;
    }

    private static bool IsRicherHeadline(string next, string prev)
    {
        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(prev))
        {
            return true;
        }

        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(next))
        {
            return false;
        }

        bool nextVs = next.IndexOf(" vs ", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase) >= 0
                      || next.IndexOf(" & ", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase) >= 0;
        bool prevVs = prev.IndexOf(" vs ", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase) >= 0
                      || prev.IndexOf(" & ", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase) >= 0;
        if (nextVs && !prevVs)
        {
            return true;
        }

        if (prevVs && !nextVs)
        {
            return false;
        }

        return next.Length > prev.Length;
    }

    private static string FirstNonEmpty(string a, string b)
    {
        if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(a))
        {
            return a.Trim();
        }

        return string.IsNullOrEmpty(b) ? "" : b.Trim();
    }

    private static string CleanSideName(string raw)
    {
        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(raw))
        {
            return "";
        }

        string s = raw.Trim();
        // Drop trailing empty count markers from ensemble display.
        if (s.EndsWith(" ()", StringComparison.Ordinal))
        {
            s = s.Substring(0, s.Length - 3).Trim();
        }

        // Sticky keys sometimes land lowercase ("humans"); title-case short tokens for the rail.
        if (s.Length > 0 && s.Length <= 24 && IsAllLowerOrDigits(s))
        {
            char[] chars = s.ToCharArray();
            chars[0] = char.ToUpperInvariant(chars[0]);
            for (int i = 1; i < chars.Length; i++)
            {
                if (chars[i - 1] == ' ' || chars[i - 1] == '-' || chars[i - 1] == '_')
                {
                    chars[i] = char.ToUpperInvariant(chars[i]);
                }
            }

            s = new string(chars).Replace('_', ' ');
        }

        return s;
    }

    private static bool IsAllLowerOrDigits(string s)
    {
        bool hasLetter = false;
        for (int i = 0; i < s.Length; i++)
        {
            char c = s[i];
            if (char.IsLetter(c))
            {
                hasLetter = true;
                if (char.IsUpper(c))
                {
                    return false;
                }
            }
        }

        return hasLetter;
    }

    private static bool TryClassifyClimax(
        InterestCandidate c,
        out StoryArcKind kind,
        out bool hardHold)
    {
        kind = StoryArcKind.None;
        hardHold = false;
        if (c == null || IsStoryAssetCandidate(c))
        {
            return false;
        }

        if (c.Completion == InterestCompletionKind.WarFront
            || string.Equals(c.AssetId, "live_war", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
        {
            kind = StoryArcKind.WarFront;
            hardHold = true;
            return true;
        }

        if (c.Completion == InterestCompletionKind.PlotActive
            || string.Equals(c.Category, "Plot", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
        {
            kind = StoryArcKind.Plot;
            hardHold = true;
            return true;
        }

        if (c.Completion == InterestCompletionKind.HappinessGrief
            || (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(c.HappinessEffectId)
                && c.HappinessEffectId.StartsWith("death_", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase)))
        {
            kind = StoryArcKind.Grief;
            hardHold = true;
            return true;
        }

        if (IsLoveBeat(c))
        {
            kind = StoryArcKind.Love;
            hardHold = true;
            return true;
        }

        if (c.Completion == InterestCompletionKind.CombatActive
            || string.Equals(c.AssetId, "live_battle", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase)
            || string.Equals(c.Category, "Combat", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
        {
            bool mass = c.Sticky != null
                        && c.Sticky.HasPresentedScale
                        && c.Sticky.PresentedScale >= EnsembleScale.Skirmish;
            int fighters = Mathf.Max(c.ParticipantCount, c.Sticky != null ? c.Sticky.TotalCount : 0);
            if (!mass && fighters > InterestScoringConfig.W.duelMaxFighters)
            {
                mass = true;
            }

            bool notablePair = c.NotableParticipantCount >= 2;
            if (mass)
            {
                kind = StoryArcKind.CombatMass;
                hardHold = true;
            }
            else
            {
                kind = StoryArcKind.CombatDuel;
                // Soft anonymous / single-notable duels: aftermath OK, no hard arc hold.
                hardHold = notablePair;
            }

            return true;
        }

        return false;
    }

    /// <summary>
    /// When a story aftermath/epilogue Follow dies, promote another living cast member
    /// so the beat is not dropped as follow_lost.
    /// </summary>
    public static bool TryRecoverStoryFollow(InterestCandidate scene)
    {
        if (scene == null || !IsStoryAssetCandidate(scene))
        {
            return false;
        }

        if (scene.HasFollowUnit)
        {
            return true;
        }

        StoryArc arc = Active;
        Actor next = null;
        if (arc != null && arc.IsActive)
        {
            ActorScratch.Clear();
            for (int i = 0; i < arc.CastIds.Count; i++)
            {
                Actor a = EventFeedUtil.FindAliveById(arc.CastIds[i]);
                if (a != null)
                {
                    ActorScratch.Add(a);
                }
            }

            // Prefer/MC among living arc cast only - never pull MCs outside the theater.
            next = LifeSagaRoster.PreferRosterUnit(ActorScratch);
            if (next == null && ActorScratch.Count > 0)
            {
                next = ActorScratch[0];
            }
        }

        if (next == null && scene.RelatedUnit != null && scene.RelatedUnit.isAlive())
        {
            next = scene.RelatedUnit;
        }

        if (next == null && scene.RelatedId != 0)
        {
            next = EventFeedUtil.FindAliveById(scene.RelatedId);
        }

        if (next == null)
        {
            return false;
        }

        scene.FollowUnit = next;
        scene.SubjectId = EventFeedUtil.SafeId(next);
        try
        {
            scene.Position = next.current_position;
        }
        catch
        {
            // keep
        }

        return scene.HasFollowUnit;
    }

    private static bool IsLoveBeat(InterestCandidate c)
    {
        if (c == null)
        {
            return false;
        }

        string asset = (c.AssetId ?? "").Trim().ToLowerInvariant();
        // Outcome bonds only. Seeking / find_lover intent is camera-worthy but not a Love climax.
        if (asset == "set_lover"
            || asset == "fallen_in_love"
            || asset == "fell_in_love"
            || asset == AftermathLoveKey())
        {
            return true;
        }

        if (asset == "find_lover" || asset == "clear_lover")
        {
            return false;
        }

        string hap = (c.HappinessEffectId ?? "").Trim().ToLowerInvariant();
        if (hap == "fallen_in_love"
            || hap == "fell_in_love"
            || hap.IndexOf("married", StringComparison.Ordinal) >= 0)
        {
            return true;
        }

        // Death-of-lover grief is Grief, not Love.
        if (hap.StartsWith("death_", StringComparison.Ordinal))
        {
            return false;
        }

        string cat = (c.Category ?? "").Trim();
        return string.Equals(cat, "Relationship", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase)
               && asset == "set_lover";
    }

    private static string AftermathLoveKey() => StoryReason.AftermathLoveLinger;

    private static string AnchorFor(InterestCandidate c, StoryArcKind kind)
    {
        if (c == null)
        {
            return "unknown";
        }

        if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(c.Key)
            && (c.Key.StartsWith("combat:pair:", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase)
                || c.Key.StartsWith("war:", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase)
                || c.Key.StartsWith("plot:", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase)))
        {
            return c.Key;
        }

        switch (kind)
        {
            case StoryArcKind.CombatDuel:
            case StoryArcKind.CombatMass:
                if (c.PairOwnerId != 0 && c.PairPartnerId != 0)
                {
                    return EventCatalog.Combat.PairKey(c.PairOwnerId, c.PairPartnerId);
                }

                return !string.IsNullOrEmpty(c.Key) ? c.Key : "combat:" + c.SubjectId;
            case StoryArcKind.WarFront:
                return !string.IsNullOrEmpty(c.Key) ? c.Key : "war:" + c.SubjectId;
            case StoryArcKind.Plot:
                return !string.IsNullOrEmpty(c.Key) ? c.Key : "plot:" + c.SubjectId;
            case StoryArcKind.Love:
                long a = c.SubjectId;
                long b = c.RelatedId;
                if (a != 0 && b != 0)
                {
                    long lo = a < b ? a : b;
                    long hi = a < b ? b : a;
                    return "love:" + lo + ":" + hi;
                }

                return "love:" + a;
            case StoryArcKind.Grief:
                return "grief:" + c.SubjectId + ":" + (c.HappinessEffectId ?? "");
            default:
                return c.Key ?? ("story:" + c.SubjectId);
        }
    }

    private static void NoteCastFrom(InterestCandidate c, StoryArc arc)
    {
        if (c == null || arc == null)
        {
            return;
        }

        arc.NoteCast(c.SubjectId);
        arc.NoteCast(c.RelatedId);
        arc.NoteCast(c.PairOwnerId);
        arc.NoteCast(c.PairPartnerId);
        arc.NoteCast(c.TheaterLeadId);
        if (c.Sticky != null)
        {
            for (int i = 0; i < c.Sticky.SideAIds.Count && i < 6; i++)
            {
                arc.NoteCast(c.Sticky.SideAIds[i]);
            }

            for (int i = 0; i < c.Sticky.SideBIds.Count && i < 6; i++)
            {
                arc.NoteCast(c.Sticky.SideBIds[i]);
            }
        }
    }

    private static bool TryClaimNaturalGrief(InterestCandidate climax, StoryArc arc)
    {
        PendingScratch.Clear();
        InterestRegistry.CopyPending(PendingScratch);
        InterestCandidate best = null;
        for (int i = 0; i < PendingScratch.Count; i++)
        {
            InterestCandidate p = PendingScratch[i];
            if (p == null || p.LeadKind != InterestLeadKind.EventLed)
            {
                continue;
            }

            bool grief = p.Completion == InterestCompletionKind.HappinessGrief
                         || (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(p.HappinessEffectId)
                             && p.HappinessEffectId.StartsWith("death_", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase));
            if (!grief)
            {
                continue;
            }

            if (arc != null && !arc.ContainsCast(p.SubjectId) && !arc.ContainsCast(p.RelatedId))
            {
                // Still allow grief about climax cast deaths via RelatedId link to fallen.
                if (climax != null
                    && p.RelatedId != climax.SubjectId
                    && p.RelatedId != climax.RelatedId
                    && p.SubjectId != climax.SubjectId)
                {
                    continue;
                }
            }

            if (best == null || p.TotalScore > best.TotalScore)
            {
                best = p;
            }
        }

        if (best == null)
        {
            return false;
        }

        // Boost so grief wins quiet grace without a synthetic twin.
        StoryWeights s = InterestScoringConfig.Story;
        best.EventStrength = Mathf.Max(best.EventStrength, s.aftermathStrength);
        best.CorrelationKey = "story:" + (arc?.AnchorKey ?? "");
        InterestScoring.RecalcTotal(best);
        if (arc != null)
        {
            NoteCastFrom(best, arc);
            arc.PendingBeats.Enqueue(new StoryBeat
            {
                Phase = StoryPhase.Aftermath,
                AssetId = best.AssetId,
                CandidateKey = best.Key,
                FollowId = best.SubjectId,
                RelatedId = best.RelatedId,
                EventStrength = best.EventStrength,
                MinWatch = best.MinWatch,
                MaxWatch = best.MaxWatch,
                SynthesizeIfMissing = false
            });
        }

        return true;
    }

    private static bool HasStrongerPendingPeer(InterestCandidate climax)
    {
        PendingScratch.Clear();
        InterestRegistry.CopyPending(PendingScratch);
        for (int i = 0; i < PendingScratch.Count; i++)
        {
            InterestCandidate p = PendingScratch[i];
            if (p == null || p.LeadKind != InterestLeadKind.EventLed || IsStoryAssetCandidate(p))
            {
                continue;
            }

            if (InterestScoring.IsFillScore(p.TotalScore))
            {
                continue;
            }

            // Only true natural aftermath peers block synthesis - not hatch/food/village
            // cast noise that used to starve soft-duel linger tips.
            if (IsNaturalAftermathPeer(p, climax))
            {
                return true;
            }
        }

        return false;
    }

    /// <summary>
    /// Grief / love-outcome tips that already finish the climax story for this cast.
    /// Ambient cast life (hatch, eat, sleep) must not suppress aftermath.
    /// </summary>
    private static bool IsNaturalAftermathPeer(InterestCandidate p, InterestCandidate climax)
    {
        if (p == null)
        {
            return false;
        }

        bool grief = p.Completion == InterestCompletionKind.HappinessGrief
                     || (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(p.HappinessEffectId)
                         && p.HappinessEffectId.StartsWith("death_", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase));
        bool loveOutcome = IsLoveBeat(p);
        if (!grief && !loveOutcome)
        {
            return false;
        }

        if (climax == null && _active == null)
        {
            return true;
        }

        if (climax != null
            && (p.SubjectId == climax.SubjectId
                || p.SubjectId == climax.RelatedId
                || p.RelatedId == climax.SubjectId
                || p.RelatedId == climax.RelatedId
                || p.SubjectId == climax.PairOwnerId
                || p.SubjectId == climax.PairPartnerId
                || p.RelatedId == climax.PairOwnerId
                || p.RelatedId == climax.PairPartnerId))
        {
            return true;
        }

        return _active != null
               && (_active.ContainsCast(p.SubjectId) || _active.ContainsCast(p.RelatedId));
    }

    private static bool TryInjectAftermath(InterestCandidate climax, StoryArc arc, float now)
    {
        if (climax == null || arc == null)
        {
            return false;
        }

        Actor follow = ResolveAftermathFollow(climax);
        if (follow == null || !follow.isAlive())
        {
            return false;
        }

        Actor related = ResolveAftermathRelated(climax, follow, arc.Kind);
        // Combat survivor aftermath requires a real fallen theater partner.
        // Attack-target gaps / sleep with both alive must not mint "stands over the fallen"
        // (soak: Norron vs Nerari thrash). Dead partners often clear RelatedUnit after kill -
        // still honor PairPartnerId / RelatedId when the unit is gone or confirmed dead.
        if (IsCombatKind(arc.Kind) && !CombatTheaterPartnerIsFallen(climax, related))
        {
            return false;
        }

        string assetId = PickAftermathAsset(arc.Kind, related);
        StoryWeights s = InterestScoringConfig.Story;
        DiscreteEventEntry catalog = EventCatalog.Story.GetOrFallback(assetId);
        float strength = catalog != null && !catalog.IsFallback
            ? catalog.EventStrength
            : s.aftermathStrength;
        long followId = EventFeedUtil.SafeId(follow);
        long relatedId = EventFeedUtil.SafeId(related);
        if (relatedId == 0)
        {
            relatedId = climax.PairPartnerId != 0 ? climax.PairPartnerId : climax.RelatedId;
        }

        // Name fallen partners even when RelatedUnit was cleared after die().
        Actor relatedForLabel = related;
        if (relatedForLabel == null && relatedId != 0)
        {
            relatedForLabel = EventFeedUtil.FindUnitById(relatedId);
        }

        string label = StoryReason.AftermathLabel(assetId, follow, relatedForLabel);
        // Beat pending same-cast life noise (eat/hatch injects) so soft-duel aftermath still lands.
        strength = Mathf.Max(strength, PendingCastLifeCeiling(followId) + 24f);
        // Camera RelatedUnit must be living; dead theater partners stay as RelatedId for cast/naming.
        Actor relatedLive = null;
        if (related != null)
        {
            try
            {
                if (related.isAlive())
                {
                    relatedLive = related;
                }
            }
            catch
            {
                relatedLive = null;
            }
        }

        if (IsCombatKind(arc.Kind))
        {
            // Survivor tip never binds a living bystander as the "fallen" related.
            relatedLive = null;
        }
        // Unique per inject so a prior Selected aftermath cannot block the next cold.
        string key = "aftermath:" + arc.Kind + ":" + arc.AnchorKey + ":" + followId + ":"
                     + Mathf.RoundToInt(now * 1000f);

        var candidate = new InterestCandidate
        {
            Key = key,
            LeadKind = InterestLeadKind.EventLed,
            Category = "Story",
            Source = "story_planner",
            AssetId = assetId,
            Label = label,
            FollowUnit = follow,
            SubjectId = followId,
            RelatedUnit = relatedLive,
            RelatedId = relatedId,
            Position = follow.current_position,
            EventStrength = strength > 0f ? strength : s.aftermathStrength,
            VisualConfidence = 0.75f,
            Novelty = 1f,
            MinWatch = s.aftermathMinWatch > 0f ? s.aftermathMinWatch : 12f,
            MaxWatch = s.aftermathMaxWatch > 0f ? s.aftermathMaxWatch : 20f,
            Completion = InterestCompletionKind.FixedDwell,
            // Never park/resume - soak bounced "stands over the fallen" across life tips.
            Resumable = false,
            CorrelationKey = "story:" + arc.AnchorKey,
            CreatedAt = now,
            LastSeenAt = now,
            ExpiresAt = now + 45f
        };

        InterestCandidate registered = EventFeedUtil.RegisterCandidate(candidate);
        if (registered == null)
        {
            return false;
        }

        arc.NoteCast(followId);
        // Theater partner (alive or fallen) only - never social fallbacks.
        if (relatedId != 0 && relatedId != followId)
        {
            arc.NoteCast(relatedId);
        }
        arc.PendingBeats.Enqueue(new StoryBeat
        {
            Phase = StoryPhase.Aftermath,
            AssetId = assetId,
            CandidateKey = registered.Key,
            FollowId = followId,
            RelatedId = relatedId,
            EventStrength = registered.EventStrength,
            MinWatch = registered.MinWatch,
            MaxWatch = registered.MaxWatch,
            SynthesizeIfMissing = false
        });
        CausalHeat.NoteFeatured(followId);
        return true;
    }

    private static void TryInjectEpilogue(StoryArc arc, float now)
    {
        if (arc == null || arc.Phase == StoryPhase.Epilogue || arc.Phase == StoryPhase.Done)
        {
            return;
        }

        // Crisis chapter owns the closer - do not also fire a related soft epilogue.
        if (_crisis != null && _crisis.IsLive)
        {
            if (!_crisis.EpilogueInjected)
            {
                BeginCrisisEpilogue(now);
            }

            if (_crisis.EpilogueInjected)
            {
                arc.Advance(StoryPhase.Done, now);
                return;
            }
        }

        Actor follow = null;
        Actor related = null;
        ActorScratch.Clear();
        for (int i = 0; i < arc.CastIds.Count; i++)
        {
            Actor a = EventFeedUtil.FindAliveById(arc.CastIds[i]);
            if (a == null)
            {
                continue;
            }

            Actor lover = ActorRelation.GetLover(a);
            Actor friend = ActorRelation.GetBestFriend(a);
            bool hasBond = (lover != null && lover.isAlive() && EventFeedUtil.SafeId(lover) != EventFeedUtil.SafeId(a))
                           || (friend != null && friend.isAlive());
            if (hasBond)
            {
                ActorScratch.Add(a);
            }
        }

        Actor preferred = LifeSagaRoster.PreferRosterUnit(ActorScratch);
        if (preferred != null)
        {
            follow = preferred;
            related = ActorRelation.GetLover(preferred);
            if (related == null || !related.isAlive() || EventFeedUtil.SafeId(related) == EventFeedUtil.SafeId(preferred))
            {
                related = ActorRelation.GetBestFriend(preferred);
            }
        }
        else
        {
            for (int i = 0; i < arc.CastIds.Count; i++)
            {
                Actor a = EventFeedUtil.FindAliveById(arc.CastIds[i]);
                if (a == null)
                {
                    continue;
                }

                Actor lover = ActorRelation.GetLover(a);
                if (lover != null && lover.isAlive() && EventFeedUtil.SafeId(lover) != EventFeedUtil.SafeId(a))
                {
                    follow = a;
                    related = lover;
                    break;
                }

                Actor friend = ActorRelation.GetBestFriend(a);
                if (friend != null && friend.isAlive())
                {
                    follow = a;
                    related = friend;
                    break;
                }

                if (follow == null)
                {
                    follow = a;
                }
            }
        }

        if (follow == null)
        {
            arc.Advance(StoryPhase.Done, now);
            return;
        }

        // Need a distinct related for a meaningful epilogue.
        if (related == null)
        {
            arc.Advance(StoryPhase.Done, now);
            return;
        }

        StoryWeights s = InterestScoringConfig.Story;
        string assetId = StoryReason.EpilogueRelated;
        string label = StoryReason.AftermathLabel(assetId, follow, related);
        string key = "epilogue:" + arc.Kind + ":" + arc.AnchorKey;
        long followId = EventFeedUtil.SafeId(follow);
        long relatedId = EventFeedUtil.SafeId(related);

        var candidate = new InterestCandidate
        {
            Key = key,
            LeadKind = InterestLeadKind.EventLed,
            Category = "Story",
            Source = "story_planner",
            AssetId = assetId,
            Label = label,
            FollowUnit = follow,
            SubjectId = followId,
            RelatedUnit = related,
            RelatedId = relatedId,
            Position = follow.current_position,
            EventStrength = s.epilogueStrength,
            VisualConfidence = 0.7f,
            Novelty = 1f,
            MinWatch = 8f,
            MaxWatch = s.epilogueMaxWatch > 0f ? s.epilogueMaxWatch : 14f,
            Completion = InterestCompletionKind.FixedDwell,
            Resumable = false,
            CorrelationKey = "story:" + arc.AnchorKey,
            CreatedAt = now,
            LastSeenAt = now,
            ExpiresAt = now + 40f
        };

        if (EventFeedUtil.RegisterCandidate(candidate) == null)
        {
            arc.Advance(StoryPhase.Done, now);
            return;
        }

        arc.Advance(StoryPhase.Epilogue, now);
        CausalHeat.NoteFeatured(followId);
    }

    private static Actor ResolveAftermathFollow(InterestCandidate climax)
    {
        if (climax == null)
        {
            return null;
        }

        ActorScratch.Clear();
        void AddCand(Actor a)
        {
            if (a == null || !a.isAlive())
            {
                return;
            }

            for (int i = 0; i < ActorScratch.Count; i++)
            {
                if (ActorScratch[i] == a)
                {
                    return;
                }
            }

            ActorScratch.Add(a);
        }

        AddCand(climax.FollowUnit);
        if (climax.TheaterLeadId != 0)
        {
            AddCand(EventFeedUtil.FindAliveById(climax.TheaterLeadId));
        }

        if (climax.PairOwnerId != 0)
        {
            AddCand(EventFeedUtil.FindAliveById(climax.PairOwnerId));
        }

        AddCand(climax.RelatedUnit);
        if (climax.PairPartnerId != 0)
        {
            AddCand(EventFeedUtil.FindAliveById(climax.PairPartnerId));
        }

        if (climax.Sticky != null)
        {
            for (int i = 0; i < climax.Sticky.SideAIds.Count; i++)
            {
                AddCand(EventFeedUtil.FindAliveById(climax.Sticky.SideAIds[i]));
            }

            for (int i = 0; i < climax.Sticky.SideBIds.Count; i++)
            {
                AddCand(EventFeedUtil.FindAliveById(climax.Sticky.SideBIds[i]));
            }
        }

        Actor preferred = LifeSagaRoster.PreferRosterUnit(ActorScratch);
        if (preferred != null)
        {
            return preferred;
        }

        if (climax.FollowUnit != null && climax.FollowUnit.isAlive())
        {
            return climax.FollowUnit;
        }

        if (climax.TheaterLeadId != 0)
        {
            Actor lead = EventFeedUtil.FindAliveById(climax.TheaterLeadId);
            if (lead != null)
            {
                return lead;
            }
        }

        if (climax.PairOwnerId != 0)
        {
            Actor owner = EventFeedUtil.FindAliveById(climax.PairOwnerId);
            if (owner != null)
            {
                return owner;
            }
        }

        if (climax.RelatedUnit != null && climax.RelatedUnit.isAlive())
        {
            return climax.RelatedUnit;
        }

        if (climax.PairPartnerId != 0)
        {
            Actor partner = EventFeedUtil.FindAliveById(climax.PairPartnerId);
            if (partner != null)
            {
                return partner;
            }
        }

        if (climax.Sticky != null)
        {
            for (int i = 0; i < climax.Sticky.SideAIds.Count; i++)
            {
                Actor a = EventFeedUtil.FindAliveById(climax.Sticky.SideAIds[i]);
                if (a != null)
                {
                    return a;
                }
            }

            for (int i = 0; i < climax.Sticky.SideBIds.Count; i++)
            {
                Actor a = EventFeedUtil.FindAliveById(climax.Sticky.SideBIds[i]);
                if (a != null)
                {
                    return a;
                }
            }
        }

        // Mourner via relations of the fallen subject.
        Actor fallenPeer = EventFeedUtil.FindAliveById(climax.SubjectId);
        if (fallenPeer == null && climax.SubjectId != 0)
        {
            // Subject dead - look for lover/friend of related or pair partner.
            Actor partner = climax.RelatedUnit != null && climax.RelatedUnit.isAlive()
                ? climax.RelatedUnit
                : EventFeedUtil.FindAliveById(climax.RelatedId);
            if (partner != null)
            {
                Actor mourner = ActorRelation.GetLover(partner) ?? ActorRelation.GetBestFriend(partner);
                if (mourner != null)
                {
                    return mourner;
                }

                return partner;
            }
        }

        return null;
    }

    /// <summary>
    /// Theater partner for aftermath naming. Combat never falls back to lover/best friend
    /// (those are living bystanders and produce lying "stands over X" tips).
    /// </summary>
    private static Actor ResolveAftermathRelated(
        InterestCandidate climax,
        Actor follow,
        StoryArcKind kind)
    {
        if (climax == null)
        {
            return null;
        }

        long followId = EventFeedUtil.SafeId(follow);
        if (kind == StoryArcKind.Love)
        {
            if (climax.RelatedUnit != null
                && climax.RelatedUnit.isAlive()
                && EventFeedUtil.SafeId(climax.RelatedUnit) != followId)
            {
                return climax.RelatedUnit;
            }

            if (climax.RelatedId != 0 && climax.RelatedId != followId)
            {
                Actor bonded = EventFeedUtil.FindAliveById(climax.RelatedId);
                if (bonded != null)
                {
                    return bonded;
                }
            }

            Actor lover = ActorRelation.GetLover(follow);
            if (lover != null)
            {
                return lover;
            }

            return ActorRelation.GetBestFriend(follow);
        }

        if (kind == StoryArcKind.WarFront || kind == StoryArcKind.Plot)
        {
            return null;
        }

        // Combat / grief / default: climax theater partner only (alive or dead for naming).
        return ResolveTheaterPartnerAny(climax, followId);
    }

    /// <summary>
    /// Duel/mass partner from pair lock, RelatedId, or opposing sticky side - including dead units.
    /// </summary>
    private static Actor ResolveTheaterPartnerAny(InterestCandidate climax, long followId)
    {
        if (climax == null || followId == 0)
        {
            return null;
        }

        if (climax.RelatedUnit != null
            && EventFeedUtil.SafeId(climax.RelatedUnit) != followId)
        {
            return climax.RelatedUnit;
        }

        if (climax.PairPartnerId != 0 && climax.PairPartnerId != followId)
        {
            Actor p = EventFeedUtil.FindUnitById(climax.PairPartnerId);
            if (p != null)
            {
                return p;
            }
        }

        if (climax.PairOwnerId != 0 && climax.PairOwnerId != followId)
        {
            Actor p = EventFeedUtil.FindUnitById(climax.PairOwnerId);
            if (p != null)
            {
                return p;
            }
        }

        if (climax.RelatedId != 0 && climax.RelatedId != followId)
        {
            Actor p = EventFeedUtil.FindUnitById(climax.RelatedId);
            if (p != null)
            {
                return p;
            }
        }

        if (climax.Sticky == null)
        {
            return null;
        }

        bool followOnA = false;
        for (int i = 0; i < climax.Sticky.SideAIds.Count; i++)
        {
            if (climax.Sticky.SideAIds[i] == followId)
            {
                followOnA = true;
                break;
            }
        }

        var opposite = followOnA ? climax.Sticky.SideBIds : climax.Sticky.SideAIds;
        // Prefer a dead opposite (true fallen), else first opposite for lookup.
        Actor livingOpposite = null;
        for (int i = 0; i < opposite.Count; i++)
        {
            Actor a = EventFeedUtil.FindUnitById(opposite[i]);
            if (a == null || EventFeedUtil.SafeId(a) == followId)
            {
                continue;
            }

            try
            {
                if (!a.isAlive())
                {
                    return a;
                }
            }
            catch
            {
                return a;
            }

            if (livingOpposite == null)
            {
                livingOpposite = a;
            }
        }

        return livingOpposite;
    }

    private static string PickAftermathAsset(StoryArcKind kind, Actor related)
    {
        switch (kind)
        {
            case StoryArcKind.WarFront:
                return StoryReason.AftermathWarLinger;
            case StoryArcKind.Plot:
                return StoryReason.AftermathPlotFallout;
            case StoryArcKind.Love:
                return StoryReason.AftermathLoveLinger;
            case StoryArcKind.Grief:
                return StoryReason.AftermathMourner;
            default:
                return StoryReason.AftermathSurvivor;
        }
    }

    /// <summary>True when the theater partner exists and is confirmed dead.</summary>
    private static bool TheaterPartnerIsFallen(Actor related)
    {
        if (related == null)
        {
            return false;
        }

        try
        {
            return !related.isAlive();
        }
        catch
        {
            // Unreachable / disposed actors count as fallen for naming.
            return true;
        }
    }

    /// <summary>
    /// Combat fallen check: live RelatedUnit, else durable pair / related ids after death clears.
    /// Null living partner with no durable id is not fallen (attack-gap false aftermath).
    /// </summary>
    private static bool CombatTheaterPartnerIsFallen(InterestCandidate climax, Actor related)
    {
        if (TheaterPartnerIsFallen(related))
        {
            return true;
        }

        if (climax == null)
        {
            return false;
        }

        long id = climax.PairPartnerId != 0 ? climax.PairPartnerId : climax.RelatedId;
        if (id == 0)
        {
            return false;
        }

        Actor byId = EventFeedUtil.FindUnitById(id);
        if (byId == null)
        {
            // Removed from the world map after die() - treat as fallen.
            return true;
        }

        return TheaterPartnerIsFallen(byId);
    }

    private static bool IsStoryAssetCandidate(InterestCandidate c) =>
        c != null && (StoryReason.IsStoryAsset(c.AssetId)
                      || string.Equals(c.Source, "story_planner", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase));

    private static bool IsCrisisEpilogueCandidate(InterestCandidate c) =>
        c != null
        && (StoryReason.IsCrisisEpilogue(c.AssetId)
            || (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(c.Key)
                && c.Key.StartsWith("epilogue:crisis:", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase)));

    /// <summary>Harness: prove a parked closer resumes only its correlated arc.</summary>
    public static bool HarnessProbeCrossArcCorrelation(out string detail)
    {
        Clear();
        float now = Time.unscaledTime;
        var arcA = new StoryArc
        {
            Id = "arc:CombatDuel:harness-a",
            Kind = StoryArcKind.CombatDuel,
            AnchorKey = "harness-a",
            ClimaxKey = "harness:climax:a",
            StartedAt = now - 10f,
            HardHold = true
        };
        arcA.NoteCast(101);
        arcA.Advance(StoryPhase.Aftermath, now - 2f);

        var arcB = new StoryArc
        {
            Id = "arc:CombatDuel:harness-b",
            Kind = StoryArcKind.CombatDuel,
            AnchorKey = "harness-b",
            ClimaxKey = "harness:climax:b",
            StartedAt = now - 8f,
            ParkedAt = now - 1f,
            HardHold = true
        };
        arcB.NoteCast(202);
        arcB.Advance(StoryPhase.Aftermath, now - 1f);
        _active = arcA;
        Parked.Add(arcB);

        var closerB = new InterestCandidate
        {
            Key = "aftermath:harness:b",
            Source = "story_planner",
            AssetId = StoryReason.AftermathSurvivor,
            CorrelationKey = "story:harness-b",
            SubjectId = 202,
            RelatedId = 203,
            Completion = InterestCompletionKind.FixedDwell,
            LeadKind = InterestLeadKind.EventLed,
            EventStrength = 60f,
            Label = "Harness B aftermath"
        };
        var orphan = new InterestCandidate
        {
            Key = "aftermath:harness:orphan",
            Source = "story_planner",
            AssetId = StoryReason.AftermathSurvivor,
            CorrelationKey = "story:missing",
            Completion = InterestCompletionKind.FixedDwell,
            LeadKind = InterestLeadKind.EventLed,
            EventStrength = 60f,
            Label = "Harness orphan aftermath"
        };
        var unrelated = new InterestCandidate
        {
            Key = "harness:unrelated",
            Completion = InterestCompletionKind.FixedDwell,
            LeadKind = InterestLeadKind.EventLed,
            EventStrength = 40f,
            Label = "Harness unrelated"
        };

        bool parkedOwnedAsActive = OwnsCandidate(closerB);
        bool parkedLive = HasLiveStoryOwner(closerB);
        bool parkedStealsPreference = PreferOver(closerB, unrelated);
        bool orphanLive = HasLiveStoryOwner(orphan);
        float orphanBoost = OwnershipBoost(orphan);
        StoryPhase aPhase = arcA.Phase;
        int aCast = arcA.CastIds.Count;

        OnSwitchTo(closerB, now);
        bool resumedB = ReferenceEquals(_active, arcB) && !arcB.IsParked;
        bool parkedA = arcA.IsParked && Parked.Contains(arcA);
        bool aUntouched = arcA.Phase == aPhase && arcA.CastIds.Count == aCast;
        bool bAdvanced = arcB.Phase == StoryPhase.Aftermath && arcB.ContainsCast(203);

        bool pass = !parkedOwnedAsActive
                    && parkedLive
                    && !parkedStealsPreference
                    && !orphanLive
                    && orphanBoost <= 0.01f
                    && resumedB
                    && parkedA
                    && aUntouched
                    && bAdvanced;
        detail =
            $"pass={pass} parkedLive={parkedLive} parkedOwn={parkedOwnedAsActive} "
            + $"parkedPrefer={parkedStealsPreference} orphanLive={orphanLive} orphanBoost={orphanBoost:0.#} "
            + $"active='{_active?.Id}' parkedA={parkedA} aUntouched={aUntouched} bAdvanced={bAdvanced}";
        Clear();
        return pass;
    }

    /// <summary>
    /// Harness: open a crisis chapter from the current tip even when live counts are below
    /// the product enter threshold (small harness kingdoms).
    /// </summary>
    public static bool HarnessBeginCrisisFromCurrent()
    {
        // Earthquake / epic WorldLog can open the chapter naturally before this step.
        if (CrisisActive)
        {
            return true;
        }

        InterestCandidate cur = InterestDirector.CurrentCandidate;
        if (cur == null)
        {
            return false;
        }

        float now = Time.unscaledTime;
        CrisisKind kind = CrisisKind.None;
        string anchor = cur.Key ?? "harness";
        if (cur.Completion == InterestCompletionKind.WarFront)
        {
            kind = CrisisKind.War;
        }
        else if (cur.Completion == InterestCompletionKind.EarthquakeActive
                 || string.Equals(cur.Category, "Disaster", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase)
                 || string.Equals(cur.AssetId, "earthquake", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
        {
            kind = CrisisKind.Disaster;
            anchor = "disaster";
        }
        else if (cur.Completion == InterestCompletionKind.StatusOutbreak)
        {
            kind = CrisisKind.Outbreak;
            anchor = "outbreak";
        }
        else if (TryClassifyCrisis(cur, out CrisisKind classified, out string classifiedAnchor, out _))
        {
            kind = classified;
            anchor = classifiedAnchor;
        }

        if (kind == CrisisKind.None)
        {
            return false;
        }

        Actor follow = cur.FollowUnit;
        if (follow == null || !follow.isAlive())
        {
            follow = EventFeedUtil.FindAliveById(cur.SubjectId);
        }

        BeginCrisis(kind, anchor, follow, now);
        StampCrisisTheater(_crisis, cur);
        return CrisisActive;
    }

    /// <summary>
    /// Harness: open crisis from the current tip / live signal if needed, then force the closer.
    /// </summary>
    public static bool HarnessForceCrisisEpilogue()
    {
        float now = Time.unscaledTime;
        if (_crisis == null || !_crisis.IsLive)
        {
            if (!HarnessBeginCrisisFromCurrent())
            {
                if (!TryFindCrisisSignal(out CrisisKind kind, out string anchor, out Actor follow, out _))
                {
                    return false;
                }

                BeginCrisis(kind, anchor, follow, now);
            }
        }

        BeginCrisisEpilogue(now);
        return _crisis != null && _crisis.EpilogueInjected;
    }

    /// <summary>Open or refresh crisis from a switched tip (before maintain can dip counts).</summary>
    private static void NoteCrisisFromCandidate(InterestCandidate c, float now)
    {
        if (c == null)
        {
            return;
        }

        if (TryClassifyCrisis(c, out CrisisKind kind, out string anchor, out _))
        {
            if (_crisis != null && _crisis.IsLive && _crisis.Kind == kind)
            {
                if (_crisis.Phase == CrisisPhase.Epilogue)
                {
                    return;
                }

                _crisis.LastSignalAt = now;
                Actor follow = c.FollowUnit;
                if (follow != null && follow.isAlive())
                {
                    long id = EventFeedUtil.SafeId(follow);
                    if (id != 0)
                    {
                        _crisis.FollowId = id;
                    }
                }

                if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(anchor)
                    && !string.Equals(_crisis.AnchorKey, anchor, StringComparison.Ordinal))
                {
                    _crisis.AnchorKey = anchor;
                    _crisis.Id = "crisis:" + kind + ":" + anchor;
                }

                return;
            }

            if (_crisis != null && _crisis.IsLive && _crisis.Phase == CrisisPhase.Epilogue)
            {
                return;
            }

            if (now < _crisisCooldownUntil && (_crisis == null || !_crisis.IsLive))
            {
                return;
            }

            Actor openFollow = c.FollowUnit;
            if (openFollow == null || !openFollow.isAlive())
            {
                openFollow = EventFeedUtil.FindAliveById(c.SubjectId);
            }

            BeginCrisis(kind, anchor, openFollow, now);
            return;
        }

        // Still on a war front after counts dipped - keep the chapter warm.
        if (_crisis != null
            && _crisis.IsLive
            && _crisis.Phase == CrisisPhase.Active
            && _crisis.Kind == CrisisKind.War
            && c.Completion == InterestCompletionKind.WarFront)
        {
            _crisis.LastSignalAt = now;
        }
    }

    private static void TickCrisis(float now)
    {
        StoryWeights s = InterestScoringConfig.Story;
        if (TryFindCrisisSignal(out CrisisKind kind, out string anchor, out Actor follow, out _))
        {
            if (_crisis != null && _crisis.IsLive && _crisis.Kind == kind)
            {
                // Closer already owns the exit - still time out even if WorldLog keeps pulsing.
                if (_crisis.Phase == CrisisPhase.Epilogue)
                {
                    float epiCap = s.crisisEpilogueMaxWatch > 0f ? s.crisisEpilogueMaxWatch : 16f;
                    if (now - _crisis.PhaseStartedAt > epiCap + 8f)
                    {
                        CloseCrisis(now);
                    }

                    return;
                }

                _crisis.LastSignalAt = now;
                if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(anchor)
                    && !string.Equals(_crisis.AnchorKey, anchor, StringComparison.Ordinal))
                {
                    _crisis.AnchorKey = anchor;
                    _crisis.Id = "crisis:" + kind + ":" + anchor;
                }

                if (follow != null)
                {
                    long id = EventFeedUtil.SafeId(follow);
                    if (id != 0)
                    {
                        _crisis.FollowId = id;
                    }
                }

                return;
            }

            if (_crisis != null && _crisis.IsLive && _crisis.Kind != kind)
            {
                // Do not replace a live closer with a peer storm tip.
                if (_crisis.Phase == CrisisPhase.Epilogue)
                {
                    return;
                }

                // Stronger / different crisis class replaces the live chapter.
                BeginCrisis(kind, anchor, follow, now);
                return;
            }

            if (now < _crisisCooldownUntil)
            {
                return;
            }

            BeginCrisis(kind, anchor, follow, now);
            return;
        }

        // War theater still current (WarFront or same-kingdom Mass) - keep chapter warm.
        InterestCandidate cur = InterestDirector.CurrentCandidate;
        if (_crisis != null
            && _crisis.IsLive
            && _crisis.Phase == CrisisPhase.Active
            && _crisis.Kind == CrisisKind.War
            && cur != null
            && MatchesCrisis(cur))
        {
            _crisis.LastSignalAt = now;
            return;
        }

        if (_crisis == null || !_crisis.IsLive)
        {
            return;
        }

        if (_crisis.Phase == CrisisPhase.Epilogue)
        {
            float epiCap = s.crisisEpilogueMaxWatch > 0f ? s.crisisEpilogueMaxWatch : 16f;
            if (now - _crisis.PhaseStartedAt > epiCap + 8f)
            {
                CloseCrisis(now);
            }

            return;
        }

        float linger = CrisisLingerSeconds(_crisis.Kind, s);
        float maxDur = s.crisisMaxSeconds > 0f ? s.crisisMaxSeconds : 180f;
        bool stale = now - _crisis.LastSignalAt > linger;
        bool timedOut = now - _crisis.StartedAt > maxDur;
        if (stale || timedOut)
        {
            // Short-arc aftermath already on camera for this theater - quiet close.
            if (ShortArcOwnsCrisisExit())
            {
                CloseCrisis(now);
                return;
            }

            BeginCrisisEpilogue(now);
        }
    }

    private static bool ShortArcOwnsCrisisExit()
    {
        if (_crisis == null || !_crisis.IsLive)
        {
            return false;
        }

        InterestCandidate cur = InterestDirector.CurrentCandidate;
        if (cur != null
            && !IsCrisisEpilogueCandidate(cur)
            && IsStoryAssetCandidate(cur))
        {
            if (_crisis.Kind == CrisisKind.War
                && string.Equals(
                    cur.AssetId,
                    StoryReason.AftermathWarLinger,
                    StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
            {
                return true;
            }

            if (_active != null
                && _active.IsActive
                && (_active.Phase == StoryPhase.Aftermath || _active.Phase == StoryPhase.Epilogue)
                && _crisis.Kind == CrisisKind.War
                && _active.Kind == StoryArcKind.WarFront)
            {
                return true;
            }
        }

        // Aftermath already injected but not yet selected.
        if (_crisis.Kind == CrisisKind.War)
        {
            PendingScratch.Clear();
            InterestRegistry.CopyPending(PendingScratch);
            for (int i = 0; i < PendingScratch.Count; i++)
            {
                InterestCandidate p = PendingScratch[i];
                if (p != null
                    && string.Equals(
                        p.AssetId,
                        StoryReason.AftermathWarLinger,
                        StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
                {
                    return true;
                }
            }
        }

        return false;
    }

    private static float CrisisLingerSeconds(CrisisKind kind, StoryWeights s)
    {
        float linger = s.crisisLingerSeconds > 0f ? s.crisisLingerSeconds : 10f;
        if (kind == CrisisKind.Disaster || kind == CrisisKind.Outbreak)
        {
            float disasterLinger = s.crisisDisasterLingerSeconds > 0f
                ? s.crisisDisasterLingerSeconds
                : 28f;
            linger = Mathf.Max(linger, disasterLinger);
        }

        return linger;
    }

    private static void BeginCrisis(CrisisKind kind, string anchor, Actor follow, float now)
    {
        if (kind == CrisisKind.None)
        {
            return;
        }

        string key = string.IsNullOrEmpty(anchor) ? kind.ToString().ToLowerInvariant() : anchor;
        long followId = EventFeedUtil.SafeId(follow);
        _crisis = new CrisisChapter
        {
            Kind = kind,
            Phase = CrisisPhase.Active,
            AnchorKey = key,
            Id = "crisis:" + kind + ":" + key,
            StartedAt = now,
            LastSignalAt = now,
            PhaseStartedAt = now,
            FollowId = followId,
            EpilogueInjected = false
        };
        StampCrisisTheater(_crisis, InterestDirector.CurrentCandidate);
        if (followId != 0)
        {
            CausalHeat.NoteFeatured(followId, 1.1f);
        }
    }

    private static void StampCrisisTheater(CrisisChapter crisis, InterestCandidate tip)
    {
        if (crisis == null)
        {
            return;
        }

        if (tip?.Sticky != null
            && StickyScoreboard.TryKingdomPair(tip.Sticky, out string a, out string b))
        {
            crisis.TheaterKeyA = a;
            crisis.TheaterKeyB = b;
            return;
        }

        // Fall back to follow / related kingdoms when sticky keys are not locked yet.
        string fa = LiveEnsemble.KingdomKeyOf(tip?.FollowUnit);
        string fb = LiveEnsemble.KingdomKeyOf(tip?.RelatedUnit);
        if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(fa) && !string.IsNullOrEmpty(fb)
            && !string.Equals(fa, fb, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
        {
            crisis.TheaterKeyA = fa.Trim().ToLowerInvariant();
            crisis.TheaterKeyB = fb.Trim().ToLowerInvariant();
        }
    }

    private static void BeginCrisisEpilogue(float now)
    {
        if (_crisis == null || !_crisis.IsLive)
        {
            return;
        }

        if (_crisis.EpilogueInjected)
        {
            _crisis.Advance(CrisisPhase.Epilogue, now);
            return;
        }

        if (!TryInjectCrisisEpilogue(_crisis, now))
        {
            CloseCrisis(now);
            return;
        }

        _crisis.EpilogueInjected = true;
        _crisis.Advance(CrisisPhase.Epilogue, now);
        _crisis.LastSignalAt = now;
        // Arm cool at closer inject so stacked disaster WorldLog tips cannot open a second
        // chapter the moment CloseCrisis runs while the storm is still logging.
        ArmCrisisCooldown(now, _crisis.Kind);
        NoteHardStoryQuiet(now);
    }

    private static void CloseCrisis(float now)
    {
        if (_crisis == null)
        {
            return;
        }

        CrisisKind kind = _crisis.Kind;
        _crisis.Advance(CrisisPhase.Done, now);
        ArmCrisisCooldown(now, kind);
        NoteHardStoryQuiet(now);
    }

    private static void ArmCrisisCooldown(float now, CrisisKind kind)
    {
        StoryWeights s = InterestScoringConfig.Story;
        float cool = s.crisisCooldownSeconds > 0f ? s.crisisCooldownSeconds : 45f;
        if (kind == CrisisKind.Disaster || kind == CrisisKind.Outbreak)
        {
            float disasterCool = s.crisisDisasterCooldownSeconds > 0f
                ? s.crisisDisasterCooldownSeconds
                : 120f;
            cool = Mathf.Max(cool, disasterCool);
        }

        _crisisCooldownUntil = Mathf.Max(_crisisCooldownUntil, now + cool);
    }

    private static bool TryFindCrisisSignal(
        out CrisisKind kind,
        out string anchor,
        out Actor follow,
        out float intensity)
    {
        kind = CrisisKind.None;
        anchor = "";
        follow = null;
        intensity = 0f;

        InterestCandidate best = null;
        CrisisKind bestKind = CrisisKind.None;
        string bestAnchor = "";
        float bestIntensity = 0f;

        InterestCandidate cur = InterestDirector.CurrentCandidate;
        if (TryClassifyCrisis(cur, out CrisisKind curKind, out string curAnchor, out float curIntensity)
            && curIntensity >= bestIntensity)
        {
            best = cur;
            bestKind = curKind;
            bestAnchor = curAnchor;
            bestIntensity = curIntensity;
        }

        PendingScratch.Clear();
        InterestRegistry.CopyPending(PendingScratch);
        for (int i = 0; i < PendingScratch.Count; i++)
        {
            InterestCandidate p = PendingScratch[i];
            if (!TryClassifyCrisis(p, out CrisisKind pKind, out string pAnchor, out float pIntensity))
            {
                continue;
            }

            if (pIntensity > bestIntensity)
            {
                best = p;
                bestKind = pKind;
                bestAnchor = pAnchor;
                bestIntensity = pIntensity;
            }
        }

        if (best == null || bestKind == CrisisKind.None)
        {
            return false;
        }

        kind = bestKind;
        anchor = bestAnchor;
        intensity = bestIntensity;
        follow = best.FollowUnit;
        if (follow == null || !follow.isAlive())
        {
            follow = EventFeedUtil.FindAliveById(best.SubjectId);
        }

        return true;
    }

    private static bool TryClassifyCrisis(
        InterestCandidate c,
        out CrisisKind kind,
        out string anchor,
        out float intensity)
    {
        kind = CrisisKind.None;
        anchor = "";
        intensity = 0f;
        if (c == null || IsCrisisEpilogueCandidate(c))
        {
            return false;
        }

        StoryWeights s = InterestScoringConfig.Story;
        int warMin = s.crisisWarParticipantMin > 0 ? s.crisisWarParticipantMin : 8;
        float disasterMin = s.crisisDisasterStrengthMin > 0f ? s.crisisDisasterStrengthMin : 95f;

        if (c.Completion == InterestCompletionKind.WarFront)
        {
            // Enter on live theater scale only. Sticky PeakParticipants is a hold floor for
            // scale labels - using it here let harness 12:8 locks open crisis on 2v1 worlds,
            // then epilogue_crisis leaked into the live soak after war_front_sticky.
            int sideA = Mathf.Max(0, c.CombatSideACount);
            int sideB = Mathf.Max(0, c.CombatSideBCount);
            int sides = sideA + sideB;
            int n = Mathf.Max(c.ParticipantCount, sides);
            bool contested = sideA >= 1 && sideB >= 1;
            if (n >= warMin && contested)
            {
                kind = CrisisKind.War;
                intensity = n + c.EventStrength * 0.01f;
                anchor = !string.IsNullOrEmpty(c.CorrelationKey)
                    ? c.CorrelationKey
                    : (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(c.Key) ? c.Key : "war");
                return true;
            }
        }

        if (c.Completion == InterestCompletionKind.EarthquakeActive
            || (c.EventStrength >= disasterMin && IsDisasterCrisisSignal(c)))
        {
            kind = CrisisKind.Disaster;
            intensity = Mathf.Max(c.EventStrength, disasterMin);
            // Family anchor: tornado / quake / meteor pulses share one storm chapter.
            anchor = "disaster";
            return true;
        }

        if (c.Completion == InterestCompletionKind.StatusOutbreak
            && c.EventStrength >= disasterMin)
        {
            kind = CrisisKind.Outbreak;
            intensity = c.EventStrength;
            anchor = "outbreak";
            return true;
        }

        return false;
    }

    /// <summary>
    /// Disaster crisis signal via live AssetManager disasters, authored overlays,
    /// WorldLog Disaster category, or EarthquakeActive completion - never tip substrings.
    /// </summary>
    public static bool IsDisasterCrisisSignal(InterestCandidate c)
    {
        if (c == null)
        {
            return false;
        }

        if (c.Completion == InterestCompletionKind.EarthquakeActive)
        {
            return true;
        }

        if (string.Equals(c.Category, "Disaster", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
        {
            return true;
        }

        string asset = (c.AssetId ?? "").Trim();
        if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(asset)
            && (EventCatalog.Disaster.IsLiveOrAuthored(asset)
                || EventCatalog.WorldLog.IsDisasterCategory(asset)))
        {
            return true;
        }

        return false;
    }

    /// <summary>
    /// Tip that should hold the camera against local Mass/Battle scraps.
    /// WarFront always holds (even below crisis enter threshold). Disaster / outbreak
    /// signals hold while their crisis chapter is live.
    /// </summary>
    public static bool IsCrisisCameraSignal(InterestCandidate c)
    {
        if (c == null)
        {
            return false;
        }

        // War tip owns the camera against Mass/Battle regardless of crisis chapter size.
        if (c.Completion == InterestCompletionKind.WarFront)
        {
            return true;
        }

        if (!CrisisActive || !MatchesCrisis(c))
        {
            return false;
        }

        if (c.Completion == InterestCompletionKind.EarthquakeActive
            || c.Completion == InterestCompletionKind.StatusOutbreak)
        {
            return true;
        }

        return IsDisasterCrisisSignal(c);
    }

    private static bool TryInjectCrisisEpilogue(CrisisChapter crisis, float now)
    {
        if (crisis == null)
        {
            return false;
        }

        Actor follow = EventFeedUtil.FindAliveById(crisis.FollowId);
        if (follow == null || !follow.isAlive())
        {
            follow = InterestDirector.CurrentCandidate?.FollowUnit;
            if (follow == null || !follow.isAlive())
            {
                follow = EventFeedUtil.AnyAliveUnit();
            }
        }

        if (follow == null || !follow.isAlive())
        {
            return false;
        }

        StoryWeights s = InterestScoringConfig.Story;
        string assetId = StoryReason.EpilogueCrisis;
        DiscreteEventEntry catalog = EventCatalog.Story.GetOrFallback(assetId);
        float strength = catalog != null && !catalog.IsFallback
            ? catalog.EventStrength
            : (s.crisisEpilogueStrength > 0f ? s.crisisEpilogueStrength : 52f);
        string label = StoryReason.AftermathLabel(assetId, follow, null);
        long followId = EventFeedUtil.SafeId(follow);
        string key = "epilogue:crisis:" + crisis.Kind + ":" + crisis.AnchorKey + ":"
                     + followId + ":" + Mathf.RoundToInt(now * 1000f);
        float maxWatch = s.crisisEpilogueMaxWatch > 0f ? s.crisisEpilogueMaxWatch : 16f;

        var candidate = new InterestCandidate
        {
            Key = key,
            LeadKind = InterestLeadKind.EventLed,
            Category = "Story",
            Source = "story_planner",
            AssetId = assetId,
            Label = label,
            FollowUnit = follow,
            SubjectId = followId,
            Position = follow.current_position,
            EventStrength = strength,
            VisualConfidence = 0.8f,
            Novelty = 1f,
            MinWatch = 8f,
            MaxWatch = maxWatch,
            Completion = InterestCompletionKind.FixedDwell,
            Resumable = false,
            CorrelationKey = crisis.Id,
            CreatedAt = now,
            LastSeenAt = now,
            ExpiresAt = now + 45f
        };

        InterestCandidate registered = EventFeedUtil.RegisterCandidate(candidate);
        if (registered == null)
        {
            return false;
        }

        crisis.FollowId = followId;
        CausalHeat.NoteFeatured(followId, 1.2f);
        return true;
    }
}